This weekend sees the Doctor Who mid-season finale, featuring Olivier Award-winning Actress, Frances Barber as the mysterious eye-patch lady. DWO caught up with Frances for a quick interview to discuss her character, her love for Doctor Who and saving President Kennedy:

We've seen you quite a bit in Doctor Who this season (albeit with fleeting appearances behind sliding panels in walls) but in this week's episode we will finally get to see a bit more of your mysterious character. How easy was it to get your head round the script when you first received it, and were you aware at the time that your character would be placed throughout the series?

I wasn't aware at the time that my character would be placed throughout the first part of Series 6. I knew I had some mysterious appearances from behind an equally mysterious hatch, but I didn't realise the ongoing arc of the storyline. As you know, its all very top secret at Doctor Who headquarters, which actually meant that I had the luxury of creating a character from the script and my own imagination.

How aware were you of Doctor Who growing up as a child? Did you watch it and were you a fan?

I have always loved Doctor Who...Tom Baker was my first very strong memory of a Doctor and Sylvester McCoy is a friend of mine. I have always wanted to be a part of it in any way, and I am absolutely delighted to be in this particular season.

You have had a long and varied career working in TV, Film and Theatre. Do you have a preference, and what do you hope for most when your agent gets in touch?

I don't have a preference with any of the various forms of acting in either film or theatre. I just choose whatever I think is the most interesting project.

You have great chemistry and indeed a great relationship with fellow Actor, Ian McKellen. Is it true he bought you a library? What is your favourite book of all time?

Ian gave some money to a charity in which he paid for a library in India to be built in my name. This often gets misrepresented. I don't live in a mansion! My favourite book of all time is The Grapes Of Wrath by John Steinbeck.

Finally, if you could have one round trip in the TARDIS, anywhere in time and space, where would you go and why?

If I had one round trip in the TARDIS, I would like to be in the car when President Kennedy was shot, with a perfect view of who pulled the trigger! Then The Doctor could prevent it!

+  To read more DWO Interviews, check out the DWO Features section.

[Source: Doctor Who Online]